ParentText is a chatbot-led parenting intervention designed to increase positive parenting and reduce child maltreatment. Developed for caregivers of children aged 0–17 years, ParentText delivers evidence-based parenting tips, activities, and support directly through mobile messaging platforms.
The ParentText programme in South Africa is being evaluated through a multi-phase research approach that began in 2022. This includes a factorial optimisation trial (Phase 1), followed by a large-scale 5-Day User Experience Evaluation Trial (Phase 2). Together, these studies contribute to the growing global evidence base on the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of hybrid and digital parenting programmes.
In 2024, the team launched a digital-only 5-Day User Experience Evaluation Trial to assess feasibility, acceptability, engagement, and early impacts at scale. This large randomised controlled trial includes more than 20,000 caregivers of children aged 2–17 years.
Participants were randomly assigned to:
A seven-month post-baseline assessment was completed in May 2025 and full analysis is now underway, including cost-effectiveness and manuscript drafting. The dissemination of results in journals and at conferences is expected in 2026.
This programme represents one of the first rigorous optimisation and large-scale evaluations of a chatbot-delivered parenting intervention in a low- and middle-income country. Findings will directly inform the wider dissemination of Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) hybrid and digital programmes, and support ongoing and forthcoming ParentText implementation across multiple countries.
The trial was registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF).
